Montec Fawk Ski Pants Review
By Amy Marwick
Montec burst onto the scene as long ago 2006, with sister brand Dope following in 2008. While Dope’s gear is made with the recreational skier or snowboarder in mind, Montec is aimed at slightly more technical skiers, who might be hiking for lines or exploring the backcountry.
Both brands live by the ethos that ‘Riders lead the way’ and as direct-to-consumer brands they are proud of their close relationship to customers, describing them as ‘co-creators’ in the companies. This unconventional setup seems to be working, as you’d be hard-pressed to ski in the Alps these days without spotting at least a couple Dope jackets or Montec bib pants in the lift queue (and that’s just on the first run).
Perhaps this is down to their very reasonable pricing, the huge array of colour choices on offer, and their efforts in being a more sustainable company (they use solution dyeing in some of their fabrics, recycled materials in shells and insulation, and products are certified by Bluesign). The products also work, fit well, and look great on the mountain.
Fabric Focus
I tested out the women’s Montec Fawk Ski Pants during a cold spell in the Alps and was thoroughly impressed with how they performed. They are built with a 20k waterproof shell – this means that you can place a water column 20,000mm high on top of the fabric without it seeping through (in other words, a lot!). They also have a breathability rating of 20k (I won’t begin to explain how the Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate works, just know this is high and ensures moisture will escape when needed). They have fully taped seams for extra protection from the elements.
I found the Fawk pants, perfectly comfortable for skiing around the resort and for some short hikes too. The fabric doesn’t offer the same kind of wind proofing that something like Gore-Tex might, but you can also get these pants in an insulated version, which would offer additional protection.
Design/Features
They have a well-considered fit with good articulation, a high bib with a popper at the waist to cinch them in, and a stylish narrow leg (rather than a baggy freeride or straight fit), with a wide, zipped cuff to accommodate ski or snowboard boots. What I especially loved were the broad, stretchy braces, with their super-simple adjustor at the front of the bib (rather than on your shoulders where they could easily dig-in under a backpack strap – it’s amazing how many brands insist on placing them there).
Now, let’s talk about pockets – there are lots of them, five actually. The zipped bib pocket is pretty small (you can just about fit a smartphone in there), but the zipped hand pockets are a little roomier. The thigh pockets only have hook-and-loop, so you can’t store any valuables there in case you take a tumble in the powder, but that’s plenty storage for skiing without a backpack (and that’s without considering your jacket).
What these bibs are lacking is a drop-seat zip for when nature calls, however the zip-front bib opens all the way down to the waist so it’s easy enough to get them on and off over layers.
After about a week of use the hook-and-loop patch at the top of the bib started to detach but there was otherwise no damage or scuffs. The kick pads around the cuffs held up no problem to ski edges, the snow gaiters are basic but effective, and overall they still looked virtually new.
Conclusion
For a flattering, functional, and well-priced bib that holds up across the mountain, the Montec Fawk Ski Pants are a solid choice. They’d work great for most holiday skiers and for anyone on the occasional backcountry adventure (just don’t expect quick bathroom breaks!).
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